Recent comments

Slinkies

I made slinkies on the commercial level back in the late 80s and early 90s. I produced tens of thousands over the years; here are some tips I learned through trial and error:

Steel BB shot can be bought at Walmart (Daisy Premium Plated) in the ammo department. I stopped using lead for environmental reasons and actually prefer the drift rate in my home river (Salmon River, NY) using steel.

BB Shot Counts:
Steel: 5 shot = 1/16 oz.
Lead: 3 shot = 1/16 oz.

Cut and seal nylon paracute cord in one step with a soldering iron.
Cut/seal double lengths of cord, then a single scissor cut gets you two finished lengths.
Use a brass feeder tube and brass rod plunger to insert shot.
Melted attachment hole with needle type soldering iron tip.
You can skip the hole and just pierce the nylon coed with snap.
Attached slinky to leader using small micro-snap.
For low-flow nymphing for trout, micro-slinkies using 1, 2, 0r 3 shot work well.

Any other questions just email me at medusatackleco@gmail.com

Great recipe

I made it last week and am very pleased that a such a simple recipe gave a real tacky dubbing wax. Many people do not use it but i do. The wax that i had was too soft as i compare it to the one i made when using the self made. It helped me a lot and am able to dubb very good flies.
I followed the recipe but add a little biet more oil to it because i was afraid that it would be too hard. When hardened, i tried it immediatly and was surprised about the tackinees of it.
Ok i have now plenty enough and will give some to my friends. Of course you can buy it, but making your own is so much fun as tying your own flies.

Pass fly

I have fished the Pass lake fly since 1953. I always carry some when I fish for trout or pan fish. A great Brook trout fly

Restoration

That you for restoring me as a subscriber

very good book

At first, the price of nearly 70 € seems too much, but the book is fabulous and it's worth every cent.
Good pictures, some stories, great patterns and really good instructions and descreptions.
BUY IT (Y)

Great article thanks

Great article thanks. Check out my blog fly-fishing the world.blogspot.com for similar NZ stories! I live in Christchurch New Zealand

repairing fly line

I use armor-all, it cleans great and the line really zips when casted.

wolly bugger

Popsical = fly patthern.
”...resembles a wooly bugger” :) Now, Now, Now! Not with a wolly bugger. May be with a Popsical, as I said.

Not sure what you mean by a

Not sure what you mean by a popsicle, but if you mean that its a tasty sweet snack for trout, then you are absolutely right! LOL. And it is not a wooly bugger your right. I said its "better than a wooly bugger" not that it is a variation of a wooly bugger or one in itself. The man who created it called it a brahma bugger, I guess because it resembles a wooly bugger? Not sure. I didn't name the fly. HAHA.

wolly bugger

Is not a wolly bugger. Sorry! :)
It is a Popsicle.

Flies

Great combination of materials, good and simple pattern to tie, I wait be also affective with the trouts....

Appreciation

Katrine, Eric and Noe,

Thank you all for your kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed my little piece. I hope my writing will enable you as well as others to look at fishing in a perspective, which isn't just trophy hunting and pursuing the next and bigger fish or longer cast, but also remember to stop and enjoy life, nature, company, sights and smells. I have certainly learned to do so - the hard way, but still.

And Noe, regarding a cure for my disease, I surely live in the hope, but have long ago learned not to live my life expecting to be cured. It might happen, but then again it might not. I prepare for the worst and hope for the best - but remember to live while doing it.

Martin

With hope

Dear Martin:

I am a new fly fisherman (if I can say that, as I am by no means good at it...). After my wife's Dad died several years ago, I inherited some conventional fishing gear and my wife (who fished with her Dad as a little girl) started teaching me what she had learnt. Two years ago I took a fly casting lesson and was hooked. Now I fly fish exclusively (and just recently started tying my own flies) and have found the poetic allure of the art of fly fishing.

I am also a Lab Animal Medicine Veterinarian specialized in research animal health and welfare and every day I read about exciting research looking into the disease mechanisms of many ailments that affect people (and pets). Obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer...and I am hopeful that some day patients around the world will have a cure for so many devastating diseases including MS.

I sympathize with you and hope that these cures will be available to all sooner rather than later so everyone can fish, run, play their favorite instrument, see their daughters get married...

With admiration and much hope for you and all those who step up to the challenges that life brings and live to the fullest extent.

Noe

Inspired ....

Martin - I have been lurking on this site for quite a while and it is my first post. I want to thank you for this beautiful odd to "being out there". I see way too many fishermen complaining about the quality of the fishing or the size of the prize. I just came back from 2 weeks in the northwest US and been catching an releasing 6 to 10" rainbows as the steelheads were not really cooperating due to low water levels and extreme heat. I am a saltwater fly fisher on the Texas and Louisiana coast used to larger fish. What an exhilarating experience just to be on the water and enjoying the moment. I can not recall a better fishing trip with family around ... thanks to reminding us that it is not all about fishing but "connecting" with everything and everyone around us. As Katrine said, touched .....

Furled leader

I also make them with 6/0 tying thread for dry fly fishing. I use a micro ring at the end and an integrated loop at the butt. Mostly olive, sometimes with brown for more "camo",haha. With a long tippet the trout don't seem to mind. These leaders turn over beautifully and float all day when treated with Mucillin. And zero memory.

Touched

Martin,
I was very touched by this blog post. I know that you inspire thousands and thousands of people with your site and your knowledgable, but also personal writings on all things fly fishing. I so admire the way you accept your physical limitations but still make the most of what is possible. And don't we all have days where something we actually love to do is just too much effort? I know I do. I love reading your thoughts, so thank you for sharing.

I don't know

Lee,

Unfortunately I have no idea. Most of those who deliver tying thread are for some reason very keen on keeping these facts to themselves. The few manufacturers who make thread are equally silent - probably under contract.

So no, I don't know...

Martin

Orvis Fly Tying Threads

Do you know who makes Orvis' tying thread?

Self control!

Peter,

While it might feel like a reflex, it's just something you have learned and which - to to quote Yoda - unlearn you must.

In stead of the knee jerk (or rather elbow jerk) reaction, start thinking when a fish strikes and control the immediate reaction, saying to yourself: take it easy, wait for it... wait for it... now!

And let the strike be more subtle. My best strikes are - as I write - almost no-strikes, where I let the fish do most of the hooking, just making sure that I have good contact with the fly, and don't lift the rod before the fish is actually hooked.

Martin

How did you learn to pause slightly

Striking feels more like a instinctive reaction than something you can delay.
I wonder how you did learn to pause slightly?

trout in colors video

Just found your site and watched your "Trout in Colors" video and I must say, it was beautiful! I just wish it could have been longer. I could have watched that for an hour! It shows what non fisherman don't understand about fly fishing, it's really not about just catching fish. It's the swishing of the line in the air, the gulping rises of the fish, the wonderful sounds of nature and of course, the spectacular colors! The one image that stands out was the absolutely perfect mirror image of the trees on the far side of the lake. SPECTACULAR!
Thank you for sharing that.

This video

Very good video? It gives great info on the "Y" side of things. Looking forward for more and visiting his web site.

Proper dressing for flyfishing

In the putting on of the waders - I didn’t see where you mentioned putting on the all important wading belt.

How's it going Pete. You and

How's it going Pete. You and the pups are well.

Art